The lights slowly dim as the loud announcement rings throughout the theatre: “Welcome to Skid Row.” Music starts playing as actors strut out from the shadows, now illuminated in the spotlight, singing cheerfully. The audience glances around, curious and interested to see what it next. Students at Wilcox have brought the musical Little Shop of Horrors to the stage from May 1st to 2nd at the Mission City Center for Performing Arts. This show aimed to give students a fun and interesting experience, both for the performers and the audience. As Wilcox’s first performance in a while, it was a notable and intriguing one. The musical follows the story of Seymour, a flower shop assistant, who discovers an unusual plant, similar to a Venus Flytrap, that he names Audrey II after one of his coworkers that he is in love with. Audrey II is a carnivorous plant that only feeds on human blood and flesh and it attracts business to the shop, but its desire to consume its food continues to grow.
Putting on the show took many months of preparation, both onstage and behind the scenes. According to Ms. Robson, the director and production manager, “It is never just about the actors onstage, but the collective group that makes it possible.” She claims that people tend to forget just how much effort it takes to put on a show. Students worked on singing, acting, and memorizing lines, while the backstage crow focused on lighting, sounds, and set design. Joanna Tjhang, the spotlight operator and part of the backstage crew, explained that they spent the first few weeks learning how to operate equipment. At the same time, the actors worked on musical numbers and brought the characters to life. All of this effort slowly came together, as Chloe Law states after watching the performance, the “acting was really well thought through, passionate, and in character.” She also states that she thinks that “having the energy is one of the most important aspects of any art form, and they totally had that.” Stella Lee, another student who watched the show said that the team “was extremely coordinated and as a musical fan, it was truly a show [she] will not forget.”
Backstage, even more work was happening that the audience did not always see. The set design, costumes, and props played a huge role in truly bringing the story to life. Ms. Robson shared that she was especially “proud of the puppet work and set design,” created by Rommy Kerem, set designer Migi Oey, and Jo Young, calling it “one of [their] strongest set designs. They (set designers) all did a phenomenal job creating a beautiful aesthetic.” She also recognized the backstage team, including Annika Mauldin, Allison Sargent, Sherry Jenson, and Tina Thukivakam for keeping everything organized and running smoothly.
Like any production, the show also came with a few challenges. Many students were new to musicals, so learning everything was clearly not easy. Actor Liza Morozova said “things only start really coming [during] the later weeks,” highlighting the patience that it took. There were also frequent changes, such as schedule shifts and even having to replace a major role close to opening night. Tjang added that these changes caused some confusion and misunderstanding, but the team worked through these challenges with good communication and supporting one another.
In the end, their hard work truly paid off. The cast and crew were really proud of what they created together. Morozova shared that he was proud of how everyone “worked tirelessly to make it happen,” especially because it was a first-time experience for many students. Ms. Robson encouraged the students to attend, saying that the show was “upbeat and fast paced,” enjoyable for all ages, especially with the outstanding puppetwork, as well as themed drinks and popcorn. She is “extremely proud of the entire cast for showing up and giving their all to this show.” Overall, Little Shop of Horrors was a success, highlighting the dedication of the students at Wilcox and its Stage Company. So, after this wonderful performance, remember, don’t feed the plants!
